Continuous Immersion Magnetization Wiper for Slurry Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mineral processing methods, particularly flotation separation, face inefficiencies in recovering fine minerals less than 20 μm and struggle with magnetic source maintenance, leading to reduced magnetic induction and increased mechanical complexity, energy consumption, and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
A process and apparatus where a magnetic source remains continuously immersed in the flowstream, using a wiper mechanism to remove magnetized material without deactivating the source, maintaining stronger magnetic induction and reducing mechanical complexity, energy consumption, and safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the magnetic source is removed from the flowstream and washed to remove accumulated material, then cleaning is achieved, but magnetic induction is reduced and operational continuity is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from the magnetic source itself by introducing a separate wiper mechanism. The wiper removes accumulated magnetic material from the source surface without requiring removal or deactivation of the source, thus maintaining continuous operation and magnetic induction while achieving effective cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper acts as an intermediary element between the accumulated material and the magnetic source. It provides a mechanical means to remove the harmful accumulation without directly manipulating the magnetic source, thereby preserving the source's position and magnetic field continuity
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the magnetic source is moved in and out of the flowstream for cleaning, then accumulated material is removed, but mechanical complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the cleaning function from the magnetic source movement system. Instead of moving the entire source assembly in and out of the flowstream, a dedicated wiper mechanism performs the cleaning function in place, significantly reducing mechanical complexity and eliminating the need for complex movement tolerances
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper mechanism provides self-contained cleaning capability that operates independently of the magnetic source positioning system. The wiper can be actuated by simple mechanical means such as a piston or spring, making the cleaning function self-sufficient and not dependent on complex source movement mechanisms
3Ease of operation
If tolerances are increased for piston and housing to allow movement, then mechanical operation is easier, but distance between source and slurry increases reducing magnetic induction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the need for repetitive positioning and tolerance management by keeping the magnetic source stationary. The wiper mechanism handles all cleaning operations without requiring the source to move, thereby eliminating the trade-off between operational tolerance and magnetic induction distance
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the magnetic source for cleaning, the patent inverts the approach by moving the wiper against the stationary source. This reversal eliminates the need for tight tolerances on the source housing while maintaining optimal magnetic induction distance
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the recovery of weakly magnetic minerals by aggregation, reduces entrainment in froth, and maintains stronger magnetic induction over time, improving separation efficiency and reducing maintenance and energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic source within the treatment chamber, the magnetic source remaining continuously in and activated with respect to the flowstream so as to induce magnetism in the portion
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for inducing magnetism in a flowstream of an at least partially magnetisable particulate feed material suspended in a liquid, in use to condition the flowstream to enhance the subsequent separation process, the apparatus including: a treatment chamber having an inlet and an outlet through which the flowstream respectively enters and exits the chamber; and a magnetic source within the treatment chamber, said magnetic source substantially continuously immersed in and activated with respect to the flowstream.